Today in Ohio the penalties for operating a vehicle while under the influence have gotten harsher. Liv’s Law (House Bill 37) is now in effect.

It was born of tragedy, when Olivia Wright was killed by a drunk driver, and her father decided to act.

“A constituent, Bryan Wright, brought this issue to my desk after losing his daughter, Olivia, to a drunk driver,” said state Rep. Mark Johnson, R-Chillicothe. “He pointed out to me how weak Ohio’s laws are compared to other states in the nation, and that is what inspired me to work on this legislation in an attempt to try and deter any drunk driver from becoming a repeat offender.”

According to a news release by the Ohio House of Representatives, the law is meant to address repeat offenders whose behavior has resulted in the death of another person. Those charged with OVI will face an extra $190 fine compared with the previous law. It will increase the penalty for those found guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide who have also previously been convicted of an OVI-related offense, and establishes the ability for law enforcement to use oral fluid testing for the purposes of OVI enforcement.

“HB37 moves us closer to protecting Ohioans from individuals with repeated OVI convictions,” said state Rep. Kevin Miller, R-Newark. “I’m grateful to my colleagues in both the House and Senate for supporting this important legislation, which sends a strong message to deter impaired driving and keep our roads safer.”

As Liv’s Law goes into effect, the simplest approach for drivers to take — as has always been the case — is never to drive while under the influence. Period. But those who take the deadly risk to do so must understand, Ohio will make you pay.